Spill-free container

ABSTRACT

A disposable food container forms a pouch or pocket having a closed ends and sides, as well as a mouth or opening. A substantially rigid member forms the opening of the mouth to provide support to the container, and to permit only a desired amount of food to extend out of the mouth of the container. A user can easily control the amount of food that protrudes out of the container by applying pressure to the outside of the container and pushing only a desired amount of food out of the mouth of the container. The remainder of the food remains enclosed within the container, thereby preventing unwanted touching of such food and spillage.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

THIS application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/377,113, filed Aug. 26, 2010, which isincorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

STATEMENTS AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSOREDRESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: NONE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention comprises a container for wrapping and handling ofproducts including, without limitation, food products. Moreparticularly, the present invention comprises a container for protectingitems from contamination while permitting a user to easily handle saiditems. More particularly still, the present invention comprises adisposable wrapper for protecting food, such as sandwiches, hamburgers,hot dogs and “fast food”, from contamination while permitting easyhandling and consumption of such food.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Existing prior art methods for packaging food items generally compriseeither wrapping a piece of paper, wax paper, foil or other similarmaterial around the food item, or a providing carton-like box into whichthe food item is placed. Although such existing packaging methods offersome protection to the food items, such existing methods do not addressthe problem of spillage while an item is being handled and, especially,when the food item is being eaten.

Problems commonly arise when a sandwich or other fast food item that iswrapped using conventional methods is being consumed. Specifically, fromthe time that a food item is picked up and brought to a user's mouth,until it is placed down again, contents of conventional food packagingare prone to falling. Such contents may include solid pieces of the fooditself, as well as various sauces and condiments, all of which can bepotentially soiling to clothes and the surrounding environment.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method and apparatus forwrapping and serving food items. Said improved method and apparatusshould ensure that the food item remains substantially covered andshielded from outside contaminants during periods when the food is notbeing consumed. Further, the improved method and apparatus should permitfood items to be conveniently handled and eaten, ideally with a singlehand, while preventing spillage of said food items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a disposable container that can be usedto hold food items. In the preferred embodiment, the disposablecontainer of the present invention substantially covers and shields fooditems placed within said container from outside contaminants duringperiods when said food items are not being consumed. Further, thecontainer of the present invention permits food items to be convenientlyhandled and eaten, even with a single hand, while preventing inadvertentor unwanted spillage of such food items and related condiments and/orsauces.

The disposable container of the present invention can be beneficiallyconstructed of any of the same wrapping materials commonly used in thefood industry including, without limitation, paper, wax paper, aluminumfoil with a paper lining, or plastic.

In a preferred embodiment, the disposable food container of the presentinvention forms a pouch or pocket having a closed end and sides, as wellas a mouth or opening leading into said pouch or pocket. Said mouth oropening includes a substantially rigid member that provides support tothe container, and permits only a desired amount of food to extend outof the mouth of the container. A user can easily control the amount offood that protrudes out of said mouth by applying pressure to thecontainer and pushing a desired amount of food out of the mouth. Theremainder of the food stays fully enclosed within said container,preventing unwanted contact between hands and food. Inadvertent orunwanted food spillage is also prevented.

The container of the present invention can have any number of beneficialshapes and sizes to accommodate the food product(s) placed within saidcontainer. In the preferred embodiment, said container is substantiallyrectangular in shape, in order to accommodate round or squaresandwiches. However, it is to be observed that the container can alsohave a generally elongate shape for holding hot dogs, burritos,submarine sandwiches or other elongate food items.

A tab can be provided which can be easily pulled to spread said rigidmember in order to open said mouth of the container for purposes ofinserting the food. The container can also include an optional covermember that can be closed and secured in place to substantially closethe opening of said mouth.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a simple andeasy-to-use disposable container/holder for various food items thatprevents spillage of sauce and food pieces while the food items arebeing consumed.

An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a holderthat prevents hands and fingers from directly touching food items toavoid getting hands/fingers dirty and from contaminating the food.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunctionwith the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating theinvention, the drawings show certain preferred embodiments. It isunderstood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specificmethods and devices disclosed. Further, dimensions, materials and partnames are provided for illustration purposes only and not limitation.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the container of the presentinvention in an open position.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the container of the presentinvention in a closed position.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the container of the present invention inan open position.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the container of the present invention inan open position.

FIG. 5 depicts a side perspective view of a first alternative embodimentof the container of the present invention in an open position.

FIG. 6 depicts a front view of a first alternative embodiment of thecontainer of the present invention in an open position.

FIG. 7 depicts a side view of a first alternative embodiment of thecontainer of the present invention in an open position.

FIG. 8 depicts a front view of a second alternative embodiment of thecontainer of the present invention in an open position.

FIG. 9 depicts a side view of a second alternative embodiment of thecontainer of the present invention in an open position.

FIG. 10 depicts a front view of a third alternative embodiment of thecontainer of the present invention in an open position.

FIG. 11 depicts a side view of a third alternative embodiment of thecontainer of the present invention in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The method and apparatus of the present invention are described hereinprimarily in connection with so-called “fast food”. Such fast food cantypically include, without limitation, hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches,tacos, burritos and other food items. However, it is to be observed thatsuch description is provided solely for ease of reference by way ofillustration, and should not be construed as limiting in any way. Assuch, the method and apparatus of the present application can be used inconnection with many different types of products and food items otherthan so-called fast food, as well as non-food items.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of container 10 of the presentinvention in an open position. Disposable container 10 can be used tohold food items including, without limitation, fast food items such ashamburger 200. Said container 10 of the present invention can bebeneficially constructed of any of number of different materialsincluding wrapping materials commonly used in the food industry such aspaper, wax paper, aluminum foil with a paper lining, or plastic.

In a preferred embodiment, disposable food container 10 of the presentinvention forms a pouch or pocket defining an internal cavity. Saiddisposable food container 10 has opposing front and back surfaces 11,opposing sides 12, and closed end 13 defining said internal cavity. Amouth opening 14 is formed opposite said closed end 13 and providesaccess to said internal cavity. Said mouth 14 has substantially rigidmember 15 that extends substantially around the entire circumference ofsaid mouth 14. Rigid member 15 can include optional tab 16; althoughsaid tab 16 can be located in a number of different locations, in thepreferred embodiment said tab is positioned at approximately themid-point of mouth 14 between opposing sides 12.

Rigid member 15 can be a cardboard strip or other material havingsimilar characteristics. Said rigid member 15 should beneficially havesufficient rigidity to substantially maintain its basic shape, whilestill having sufficient flexibility or pliability to permit opening andclosing of mouth 14. Substantially rigid member 15 provides support tocontainer 10, while permitting only a desired amount of food item 200 toextend outside of said mouth 14 of container 10. A user can easilycontrol the amount of food item 200 that protrudes out of mouth 14 byapplying pressure to opposing front and back surfaces 11, and pushing adesired portion of food item 200 out of mouth 14. The remaining portionof food item 200 stays fully enclosed within said container 10,preventing unwanted contact between the hands of a user and food item200. Importantly, inadvertent or unwanted spillage of pieces of fooditem 200 (including, without limitation, any condiments or sauces) isalso prevented.

Container 10 of the present invention can have any number of beneficialshapes and sizes to accommodate the food product(s) placed within saidcontainer. In the preferred embodiment, said container 10 issubstantially rectangular in shape, in order to accommodate round orsquare sandwiches, such as food item 200. Tab 16 can be easily pulled tospread rigid member 15 in order to open mouth 14 of container 10 forpurposes of inserting food item 200 into said container 10.Additionally, as depicted in FIG. 1, sides 12 can be gusseted, or canincorporate a fold, to allow said container 10 to expand to accommodatefood items having larger thicknesses. Said sides 12 can be wider nearmouth 14 than at end 13, thereby permitting the expansion of container10 to be greater at mouth 14 than at end 13. In other words, container10 can be sloped along sides 12 so that it has a greater width at mouth14 than at end 13. Container 10 can also include an optional foldablecover member 17.

Referring to FIG. 2, said cover member 17 can be closed and secured inplace to substantially close the opening of said mouth 14; in theembodiment depicted in FIG. 2, said cover member 17 is tucked under flap18, to hold said cover member 17 in the closed position. By using covermember 18 in this manner, disposable container 10 of the presentinvention substantially covers and shields food items placed within saidcontainer 10 from outside contaminants during periods when said fooditems are not being consumed. Container 10 of the present inventionpermits food items to be conveniently handled and eaten, even with asingle hand, while preventing inadvertent or unwanted spillage of suchfood items. FIG. 3 depicts a front view of container 10 of the presentinvention in an open position. Disposable food container 10 of thepresent invention forms a pouch or pocket having front surface 11 (andopposing back surface 11, not visible in FIG. 3), with closed sides 12and end 13. A mouth opening 14 is formed opposite said closed end 13,and has substantially rigid member 15 that extends substantially aroundthe entire circumference of said mouth 14, as well as foldable covermember 17. Tab 16 is positioned at approximately the mid-point along thewidth of mouth 14.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of disposable container 10 of the presentinvention in an open position. Disposable food container 10 forms apouch or pocket having opposing front and back surfaces 11, closed side12 and closed end 13. A mouth opening 14 is formed opposite said closedend 13, and has substantially rigid member 15 that extends substantiallyaround the entire circumference of said mouth 14, as well as foldablecover member 17 and tab 16.

FIG. 5 depicts a side perspective view of alternative embodimentcontainer 20 of the present invention in an open position. In apreferred embodiment, disposable food container 20 of the presentinvention forms a pouch or pocket having opposing front and backsurfaces 21, opposing sides 22, and closed end 23. A mouth opening 24 isformed opposite said closed end 23. Said mouth 24 has substantiallyrigid member 25 that extends substantially around the entirecircumference of said mouth 24. Rigid member 25 can include optional tab26 and foldable cover member 27. Tab 26 can be easily pulled to spreadrigid member 25 in order to open mouth 24 of container 20 for purposesof inserting a food item into said container 20. Sides 22 can begusseted, or can incorporate a fold, to allow said container 20 toexpand to accommodate food items having larger thicknesses.

FIG. 6 depicts a front view of alternative embodiment disposable foodcontainer 20 of the present invention in an open position. Disposablefood container 20 has front surface 21 (and an opposing back surface 21,not visible in FIG. 6), with closed sides 22 and closed end 23. Mouthopening 24 is formed opposite said closed end 23, and has substantiallyrigid member 25 that extends substantially around the entirecircumference of said mouth 24, as well as foldable cover member 27. Tab26 is positioned at approximately the mid-point along the width of mouth24.

FIG. 7 depicts a side view of alternative embodiment food container 20in an open position. Disposable food container 20 forms a pouch orpocket having opposing front and back surfaces 21, closed side 22 andclosed end 23. A mouth opening 24 is formed opposite said closed end 23,and has substantially rigid member 25 that extends substantially aroundthe entire circumference of said mouth 24, as well as foldable covermember 27 and tab 26. As depicted in FIG. 7, opposing surfaces 21 ofdisposable container 20 come together at closed end 23 to form asubstantially wedge-shaped configuration. The tip of said wedge-shapedclosed end 23 assists a user in pushing a food item held within saidcontainer 20 away from said wedge-shaped closed end 23 and toward mouth24, especially when a user first starts eating a food item stored withinsaid disposable container 20.

FIG. 8 depicts a front view of alternative embodiment disposable foodcontainer 30 of the present invention in an open position. Disposablefood container 30 has front surface 31 (and an opposing back surface 31,not visible in FIG. 8), with closed sides 32 and closed end 33. Mouthopening 34 is formed opposite said closed end 33, and has substantiallyrigid member 35 that extends substantially around the entirecircumference of said mouth 34, as well as foldable cover member 37. Tab36 is positioned at approximately the mid-point along the width of mouth34.

Still referring to FIG. 8, closed bottom 33 of alternative embodimentdisposable food container 30 does not form a straight edge betweenopposing sides 32. Instead, bottom 33 forms peak 33 a at substantiallythe mid-point between said closed sides 32. Disposable food container 30still has a substantially rectangular overall shape to hold hamburgers,sandwiches and other similar food items. However, disposable container30 accommodates asymmetrical food items, such that the longer dimensionsof said food items can correspond to and conveniently fit within peak 33a, while still permitting foldable cover 37 to substantially close overmouth opening 34 and protect the food item within.

FIG. 9 depicts a side view of alternative embodiment disposable foodcontainer 30 of the present invention in an open position. Disposablefood container 30 forms a pouch or pocket having opposing front and backsurfaces 31, closed side 32 and closed end 33 having peak 33 a. A mouthopening 34 is formed opposite said closed end 33, and has substantiallyrigid member 35 that extends substantially around the entirecircumference of said mouth 34, as well as foldable cover member 37 andtab 36.

FIG. 10 depicts a front view of yet another alternative embodiment ofdisposable food container 40 of the present invention in an openposition. Disposable food container 40 has front surface 41 (and anopposing back surface 41, not visible in FIG. 10), with closed sides 42and closed end 43. Mouth opening 44 is formed opposite said closed end43, and has substantially rigid member 45 that extends substantiallyaround the entire circumference of said mouth 44, as well as foldablecover member 47. Tab 46 is positioned at approximately the mid-pointalong the width of mouth 44.

FIG. 11 depicts a side view of alternative embodiment disposable foodcontainer 40 in an open position. Disposable food container 40 forms apouch or pocket having opposing front and back surfaces 41, closed side42 and closed end 43. A mouth opening 44 is formed opposite said closedend 43, and has substantially rigid member 45 that extends substantiallyaround the entire circumference of said mouth 44, as well as foldablecover member 47 and tab 46.

Alternative embodiment disposable container 40 has a generally elongateshape. Although still substantially rectangular in shape, alternativeembodiment disposable container 40 can accommodate food items havingsubstantially elongate dimensions, such as hot dog 300.

It is to be observed that the disposable container of the presentinvention can be used in connection with foods other than so-called“fast food”. For example, the disposable container can be used withbrownies, cookies, and other food items that are not characterized asso-called “fast food”. Additionally, it is to be observed that thedisposable container of the present invention can also be used inconnection with the handling of non-food items.

The above-described invention has a number of particular features thatshould preferably be employed in combination, although each is usefulseparately without departure from the scope of the invention. While thepreferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and describedherein, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise than herein specifically illustrated or described, and thatcertain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific mannerof practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea orprinciples of the invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A disposable container comprising: a) a pouchdefining an internal cavity, and having a mouth opening into saidinternal cavity; b) a substantially rigid member disposed around thecircumference of said mouth; c) a flexible cover connected to said pouchadapted to be folded over said mouth; and d) a flap connected to saidpouch for securing said flexible cover over said mouth.